Championship season could restart BEFORE Premier League as EFL bosses also discuss WAGE CAP in latest coronavirus meeting
EFL bosses have said the Championship season could resume BEFORE the Premier League, following their latest board meeting about coronavirus.
However, the 2019/20 League One and League Two campaigns may be declared over, with final positions decided on a points-per-game basis.
League chiefs are also considering bringing in a wage cap, as they consider a brighter and more sustainable future for the English game.
The EFL held a board meeting on Wednesday, in which they discussed their plans to return to action in the second tier and their next steps during the coronavirus crisis.
A host of players, pundits and fans have registered their concerns about the Premier League returning too soon, including Tottenham full-back Danny Rose and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Well, the Championship could now return before the top flight, according to statement from EFL chiefs.
The Championship had wanted to restart from June 6, but that is now unlikely after chiefs said in a statement that player ‘will not return to training until May 25 at the earliest’.
But that means the league may resume before the Premier League, whose current plans are to get the campaign back underway on June 19.
However, League One and League Two are not likely to return, with their campaigns set to be finished and tables decided on a points-per-game basis.
The play-offs are set to remain, though, and promotion and relegation will definitely still happen.
The next step for EFL chiefs is talks with the Government, Premier League and PFA on Thursday as they try to get the green light to return to action, likely to be behind closed doors.
While many may have reservations and fears about returning amid the coronavirus pandemic, it’s great news for Leeds United and West Brom, who are aiming for promotion to the top flight after a season-long battle at the top.
The other significant issue discussed was a possible wage cap.
The claim club salaries could be capped for a figure of between £15million and £20m for their total wage bill.
Then, any club over that figure - which will be the case for relegated teams - will only be able to sign new players on £10,000-a-week, the average wage in the Championship, until their finances fall into line with the wage cap.
League One and Two clubs will meet again on Friday, and there is likely to be huge tensions as to how they finish their season with it now looking certain they will not play any more games.